Methodist School to become Hindu Temple in England

Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester area of England will have another Hindu temple and community center.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council has unanimously approved proposals regarding this at the site of former Hurst Methodist School. This temple complex will include a dome, halls/rooms, green spaces, trees, etc.; reports suggest.

Population of devotees has reportedly overgrown the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Russell Street in the town, which has been there for decades. It is open seven-days-a-week, organizes daily arti and weekly satsang; and its children, adolescent, youth and women groups meet weekly.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of management and area community to realize this new Hindu temple complex in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Ashton-under-Lyne, on the north bank of the River Tame, houses one of the largest outdoor markets in the United Kingdom. It also has another Hindu temple known as Shree Ambaji Mandir. Prominent people associated with this town include: actors Tony Gardner, Ronald Fraser, Amanda Barrie; footballers Geoff Hurst, Alan Wright, Simone Perrotta; and founder of Brooke Bond Tea Company Arthur Brooke.

Tameside Metropolitan Borough claims to be “neat, compact Borough in an area of scenic beauty” and Dawson Lane is its Mayor.